CZ216898A3 - Disinfecting preparations and methods of disinfecting surfaces - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to the disinfection of surfaces with a disinfecting composition comprising from 0.1 % to 15 % by weight of the total composition of hydrogen peroxide, and an antimicrobial essential oil or mixtures thereof.

Description

(57) Annotation:

The solution refers to the disinfection of surfaces with a disinfectant containing 0.1% to 15% of hydrogen peroxide from the total weight of the agent and antimicrobial essential oil or their mixture.

CZ 2168-98 A3 · · · · ·· ·· · · ·· ··

Disinfectants and methods of surface disinfection

Field of technology

The present invention relates to antimicrobial agents that are used to disinfect and clean various surfaces including living surfaces (e.g. human skin, mouth, and the like) and non-living surfaces including but not limited to solid surfaces such as walls, tiles, table tops, glass, bathroom surfaces, kitchen surfaces, dishes, fabrics, clothes, carpets, and so on.

Current state of the art

Antimicrobial/antibacterial agents include agents capable of disinfecting. In general, the disinfectant substantially reduces or even destroys microorganisms, such as bacteria, occurring on the surface. For disinfection purposes, compositions based on halogen-containing compounds such as hypochlorite or on quaternary compounds have been described numerous times in the art. Agents containing peroxyacid are also known as disinfectants.

The disadvantage of disinfectants based on peroxyacids is that they can destroy disinfected surfaces that come into contact with them. Users have noted that peroxyacid based agents are not safe for a variety of surfaces including hard surfaces and fabrics, especially delicate fabrics such as silk, wool, and the like.

The object of the present invention is to provide disinfectants that are safer for cleaned surfaces without reducing their disinfecting effect on surfaces even when used in large dilutions.

A formulation containing 0.1% to 15% hydrogen peroxide by weight of the formulation and an antimicrobial essential oil or a mixture thereof has been shown to achieve this. In particular, it has been shown that the means according to the present invention, containing hydrogen peroxide and antimicrobial essential oil, are safer for cleaned surfaces and also carry out perfect disinfection of clean surfaces, i.e. surfaces free of organic and/or ··

inorganic stains even at high dilution, i.e. up to a 1:100 dilution (agent: water).

The compositions of the present invention are suitable for use on all types of surfaces including living surfaces (eg human skin and/or mouth when used as an oral preparation or toothpaste) and non-living surfaces. This technology is particularly suitable for applications on solid surfaces as well as laundry, e.g. as a detergent or additive in the so-called 'soaking mode', 'washing mode' or during the pre-treatment of laundry in the 'pre-treatment mode'. The means according to the present invention are especially suitable for use on delicate surfaces, including surfaces in safe contact with food and/or children. When using the diluted means according to the present invention, the amount of chemical compounds remaining on the disinfected surface is reduced. After applying the diluted means according to the present invention, it is not necessary to rinse solid surfaces, for example.

The advantage of the present invention is perfect disinfection acting on a wide spectrum of pure bacterial strains, including Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains and more resistant microorganisms such as fungi.

Another advantage of the agents according to the present invention is, in addition to the disinfectant properties, also good cleaning effects, especially in the embodiment of the present invention, where the agents also contain surfactant and/or solvent.

Another advantage of the compositions according to the present invention is that they can occur in different forms, e.g. as a liquid packaged in a conventional detergent bottle or a spray or foam packaged in a spray/foam dispenser, or as wipes containing the composition according to the invention, or in a non-liquid state (e.g. . gel, paste or solid state).

A representative of the current state of the art is, for example, WO88/00795, which describes liquid disinfectants containing a compound from the group of organic acids, peroxoborates, peroxyacids and their salts, together with a quaternary ammonium salt and essential oil. Hydrogen peroxide is not mentioned, let alone its content.

EP-B-288 689 discloses a liquid for solid surfaces containing an effective amount of an antimicrobial pine essential oil and at least one oil-soluble organic acid. Hydrogen peroxide is not mentioned.

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US-5,403,587 describes aqueous antimicrobial compositions used for sanitation, disinfection and cleaning of solid surfaces. US-5,403,587 describes in particular aqueous compounds (pH 1 to 12) containing essential oils (0.02% to 5%) which exhibit effective antimicrobial properties such as thyme oil, eucalyptus oil, clove oil, and the like, and a solubilizing or dispersing agent sufficient to create an aqueous solution or dispersion of essential oils in an aqueous medium. Hydrogen peroxide is not mentioned.

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The essence of the invention

The present invention includes a disinfectant composition containing 0.1% to 15% hydrogen peroxide of the total weight of the composition and an antimicrobial essential oil or a mixture thereof.

The present invention further includes a method of surface disinfection with a disinfectant according to the present invention.

Detailed description of the invention.

Disinfectants:

The preparations according to the present invention contain 0.1% to 15% of hydrogen peroxide from the total weight of the preparation and antimicrobial essential oil.

The compositions according to the present invention are either liquid or non-liquid (e.g. gel, paste or in a solid state such as powder or granules). Solids are mixed with a suitable solvent, usually water, before use. Liquid agents are aqueous agents or non-aqueous agents. Due to convenient use, liquid means are preferred.

The agents according to the present invention contain hydrogen peroxide as a basic component.

The presence of hydrogen peroxide in the compositions according to the present invention contributes to the disinfecting properties of the compositions according to the present invention. Hydrogen peroxide can attack the vital functions of microorganism cells, for example it can inhibit the arrangement of ribosomal units in the cytoplasm of microorganism cells. Hydrogen peroxide is a powerful oxidizing agent that generates free hydroxyl radicals that attack proteins and nucleic acids. In addition, the presence of hydrogen peroxide has a strong effect on removing stains, which is noticeable, for example, when applied to laundry and solid surfaces.

The preparations according to the invention contain 0.1% to 15% hydrogen peroxide of the total weight of the preparation, preferably 0.5% to 10% and more preferably 1% to 8%.

The preparations according to the present invention contain antimicrobial essential oils or their mixtures as a second basic component. The compositions typically contain at least 0.003% of the antimicrobial essential oil or mixture thereof by total weight of the composition, preferably 0.006% to 10%, more preferably 0.2% to 4%, and most preferably 0.2% to 2%.

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Suitable antimicrobial essential oils for use in the compositions of the invention are essential oils that exhibit antimicrobial activity. Antimicrobial essential oils apparently cause protein denaturation. Antimicrobial essential oils contribute to the safe profile of the compositions of the present invention when used to disinfect any surfaces. Another advantage of antimicrobial essential oils is the provision of a pleasant fragrance to the disinfectants according to the present invention without the need for the addition of perfume. Disinfectants according to the present invention not only perfectly disinfect clean surfaces, but also give them a pleasant smell and are safe for surfaces.

Suitable antimicrobial essential oils include, but are not limited to, oils derived from thymol, lemongrass, citrus, lemons, oranges, anise, clove, allspice, cinnamon, geranium, rose, mint, peppermint, lavender, citronella, eucalyptus, camphor , sandalwood, cedar, rosemary, pine, verbena, ratanhiae and their mixtures. Eucalyptus oil, thyme oil, clove oil, cinnamon oil, geranium oil, eucalyptus oil, peppermint oil, peppermint oil and their mixtures are particularly preferred.

It has been shown that compositions according to the present invention containing 0.1% to 15% of hydrogen peroxide from the total weight of the composition and an antimicrobial essential oil or mixtures thereof provide, compared to the same composition containing a peroxyacid instead of hydrogen peroxide, a higher safety of surfaces, e.g. solid surfaces and fabrics such as silk, wool, and the like, while providing perfect disinfection of clean surfaces even at high dilution.

The advantage of the present invention is that when the compositions according to the invention are used to disinfect colored fabrics, color disturbance is also suppressed while providing perfect disinfection of fabrics even at high dilution. The observed discoloration and/or discoloration of colored fabrics when using a composition according to the present invention containing hydrogen peroxide and antimicrobial oil or a mixture thereof is less while providing perfect disinfection of fabrics even at high dilution compared to the same composition containing peroxyacid instead of hydrogen peroxide.

Surface safety is assessed on fabrics by measuring the tensile strength of the fabric. The tensile strength of the fabric is measured by the Tensile Strength Method. This method consists in measuring the tensile strength of a given fabric by stretching the fabric until it breaks. Strong • · ·

ΒΒ ΒΒ ·· required to break the fabric, expressed in kg, is the 'Ultimate Tensile Strength' and can be measured on the INSTRON Tensile Force Machine.

Perfect disinfection is achieved by means of the present invention for various microorganisms, including Gram-positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeroginosa, as well as for fungi such as Candida albicans present on clean surfaces, i.e. on any surface free of organic and/or inorganic stains even at high dilution.

The disinfectant properties of the agent are measured according to the bactericidal activity of the agent. A test method suitable for determining the bactericidal activity of a product on clean surfaces is described in Europian Standard, prEN 1040, CEN/TC 216 N 78 of November 1995, published by the European Commission for Standardization in Brussels. Europian Standard, prEN 1040, CEN/TC 216 N 78 specifies the test method and requirements for the minimum bactericidal activity of the disinfectant. The test is positive when the bacterial colony-forming units (CFU) decrease from 10 ⁷ cfu (initial state) to 10 ² cfu (final number after contact with the disinfectant product), i.e. a decrease in viability in the order of 10 ⁵ is necessary. The compositions according to the present invention pass this test on clean surfaces even at high dilution.

Another suitable test method for determining the bactericidal activity of the presented products on clean surfaces is AFNOR T72-190® and T72-301®.

In a preferred embodiment, the agents according to the present invention are liquid cleaning agents. The liquid compositions preferably have a pH not exceeding 12.0, more preferably 2 to 6 and most preferably 3 to 5. The pH of the compositions is adjusted using organic acids such as citric, succinic, acetic, aspartic, lactic, and the like, or inorganic acids or alkalizing agents.

The compositions according to the present invention may further contain surfactants known to those skilled in the art, including nonionic, anionic, cationic, amphoteric and/or zwitterionic surfactants. Surfactants contribute to the cleaning properties of the compositions according to the invention.

The preparations according to the present invention typically contain surfactants or their mixtures in up to 50% of the total weight of the preparation, preferably 0.01% to 30% and most preferably 0.1% to 25%.

The compositions according to the present invention preferably contain amphoteric surfactants or their mixtures. Suitable amphoteric surfactants used include betaine and sulfobetaine surfactants, their derivatives or mixtures thereof. Betaine and sulfobetaine surfactants advantageously contribute to the disinfectant properties of the compositions according to the invention. They help disinfection by increasing the permeability of the bacterial cell wall, thus allowing other active ingredients to enter the cell.

Due to the moderate activity of the betaine and sulfobetaine surfactants contained in them, the products according to the present invention are especially suitable for cleaning delicate surfaces, for example delicate laundry or solid surfaces coming into contact with food and/or children. Betaine and sulfobetaine surfactants are very gentle on cleaned skin and/or cleaned surfaces.

Suitable betaine and sulfobetaine surfactants used in the compositions according to the present invention are betaine/sulfobetaine and betaine-like detergents, the molecule of which contains both basic and acidic groups that form an internal salt and provide the molecule with cationic and anionic hydrophilic groups in a wide range of pH values. Some common examples of these detergents are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 2,082,275, 2,702,279 and 2,255,082, incorporated herein by reference.

Preferred betaine and sulfobetaine surfactants have the general formula I:

R ₂ —N—(CH ₃ )n Y (I)

R ₃ where Rj is an alkyl radical containing 1 to 24 carbon atoms, preferably 8 to 18, more preferably 12 to 14, where R ₂ and R 3 contain 1 to 3 carbon atoms, preferably 1 carbon atom, where n is an integer 1 to 10, preferably 1 to 6 and more preferably 1, Y is selected from the group of carboxyl and sulfonyl radicals and where the sum of R _b R ₂ and R 3 radicals is 14 to 24 carbon atoms or a mixture thereof.

Examples of particularly suitable betaine surfactants include C _{1 2} -C 10 alkyldimethylbetaine such as coco betaine and C 10 -C 10 alkyldimethylbetaine such as lauryl betaine.

Coconut betaine is commercially available from Seppic under the trade name Amonyl 265®. Laurylbetaine is commercially available from Albright & Wilson under the trade name Empigen BB/L®.

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Other suitable amphoteric surfactants include amine oxides or mixtures thereof. Amine oxides advantageously contribute to the disinfectant properties of the compositions according to the invention. They aid disinfection by disrupting the cell wall/membrane of the bacterium, thus allowing other antimicrobial components to enter the cell and, for example, attack the internal cell space.

Suitable amine oxides have the general formula R 1 R 2 R 3 NO where each R ₁ R 2 and R 3 is independently a saturated linear or branched hydrocarbon chain containing from 1 to 30 carbon atoms. Suitable amine oxides of the present invention have the general formula R 1 R 2 R 3 NO, where R 1 is a hydrocarbon chain containing 1 to 30 carbon atoms, preferably 6 to 20, more preferably 6 to 14 and most preferably 8 to 10, and where R 2 and R 3 are independently unsubstituted or substituted linear or branched hydrocarbon chains containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and more preferably methyl groups. R 1 is a saturated straight or branched hydrocarbon chain.

Preferred amine oxides according to the present invention are, for example, a natural mixture of Cg-Cio amine oxides and Ci ₂ -Ci ₆ amine oxides commercially available from Hoechst.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, where the agents are particularly suitable for disinfecting solid surfaces, the surfactant is typically a surfactant system containing an amine oxide and a betaine or sulfobetaine surfactant, preferably in a weight ratio of amine oxides to betaine or sulfobetaine of 2:1 to 100:1, more preferably 6:1 to 100:1 and most preferably 10:1 to 50:1. The use of such a surfactant system in products suitable for disinfecting solid surfaces provides effective cleaning and adds shine to cleaned surfaces, i.e. that the amount of surfactant left by coating or spraying the surface cleaned with the means according to the invention is minimal.

The compositions according to the invention also preferably contain anionic surfactants or their mixtures. Particularly suitable anionic surfactants include water-soluble salts or acids of the general formula ROSO3M, where R is preferably a C6-C24 hydrocarbon radical, preferably an alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group with a C8-C20 alkyl component, more preferably Cr-Cr, an alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group and M is H or cation, e.g. cations of alkali metals (e.g. sodium, potassium, lithium) or ammonium or substituted ammonium cations (e.g. methyl-, dimethyl-, and trimethylammonium cations and quaternary ammonium cations such as tetramethylammonium and dimethylpiperidine cation and quaternary ·· ·· • · · · φ φ φφ ··· > · • φ · ·· ·· ··· • · • · ·· ·· • · · • · · • · • · ·· ·* ··· φ» ammonium cations derived from alkylamines such as ethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine and their mixture, and the like).

Other suitable anionic surfactants include alkyl diphenyl ether sulfonates and alkyl carboxylates. Other anionic surfactants include salts of soaps (including, for example, sodium, potassium, ammonium and substituted ammonium salts such as mono-, di- and triethanolamine salts), C ₉ -C ₂ o linear alkylbenzenesulfonates, C ₈ -C ₂₂ primary or secondary alkanesulfonates, C ₈ -C ₂ 4 olefin sulfonates, sulfonic polycarboxylic acids prepared by sulfonation of the pyrolysis product of alkaline earth metal citrates, as described, for example, in British patent No. 1,082,179, C ₈ -C ₂ 4 alkyl polyglycol ether sulfates (containing up to 10 moles of ethylene oxide); alkyl ester sulfonates such as C _{1 4} -C _{1 6} methyl ester sulfonates; acyl glycerol sulfonates, fatty oleyl glycerol sulfates, alkylphenol ethylene oxide ether sulfonates, paraffin sulfonates, alkyl phosphates, isethionates such as acyl isethionates, N-acyl taurates, alkyl succinamates and sulfosuccinates, sulfosuccinate monoesters (especially saturated and unsaturated Cj ₂ C _]8 monoesters), sulfosuccinate diesters (especially saturated and unsaturated Cg Cu diesters), acyl sarcosinates, sulfates of alkyl polysaccharides as sulfates of alkyl polyglucosides (nonionic non-sulfonated compounds are described below), branched primary alkyl sulfates, alkyl polyethoxycarboxylates with the general formula RO(CH ₂ CH ₂ O)k CH ₂ COO-M ⁺ , where R is C ₈ -C ₂₂ is an alkyl group, k is an integer from 0 to 10, and M is a cation forming a soluble salt. Resin acids and hydrogenated resin acids such as rosin, hydrogenated rosin and resin acids present in or derived from tall oil are also suitable. Additional examples are given in 'Surface Active Agents and Detergents' (Vols. I and II, Schwartz, Perry and Berch). Various surfactants are also generally described in U.S. Patent 3,929,678, issued December 30, 1975 to Laughlin et al., column 23, line 58 to column 29, line 23.

Preferred anionic surfactants usable in the compositions according to the invention are C ₈ C ₁₆ alkyl sulfonates, C ₈ -C 16 alkyl sulfates, C ₈ -C 16 alkyl alkoxy sulfates (e.g. C 8 -C ₁₆ alkyl ethoxy sulfates) and their mixtures. Such anionic surfactants advantageously contribute to the disinfecting properties of disinfectants containing hydrogen peroxide and/or antimicrobial essential oils. For example, C1-C16 alkyl sulfate disrupts the bacterial cell membrane, inhibits enzymatic activities, interrupts cell transport and/or denatures cell proteins. It is assumed that the improved disinfection action associated ^with · ·· with the addition of an anionic surfactant, especially Cg-Ci6 alkylsulfonate, Cg- _Ci6 alkyl sulfate and/or Cg-Ci alkyl alkoxysulfate to the preparation according to the present invention is caused by the multiple attack of the surfactant against bacteria. Another aspect of the present invention is the use of an anionic surfactant, in particular C ₈ -C 16 alkyl sulfonate, C 8 -C 16 alkyl sulfate and/or C ₈ -C ₁₆ alkyl alkoxy sulfate in a disinfectant containing hydrogen peroxide and/or antimicrobial essential oil to improve the disinfectant properties of the agent for Gram negative and/ or Gram positive bacteria.

Suitable nonionic surfactants are fatty alcohol ethoxylates and/or propoxylates, which are commercially available with different fatty alcohol chain lengths and degrees of ethoxylation. The HLB values of these alkylated nonionic surfactants depend mainly on the length of the fatty alcohol chain, the type of alkylation and the degree of alkylation. The amount of surfactants, including non-ionic ones, together with their respective HLB values, is listed in the surfactant catalogs.

Particularly suitable nonionic surfactants are hydrophobic nonionic surfactants with an HLB value (hydrophilic lipophilic balance) below 16, preferably below 15 and more preferably below 14. These hydrophobic nonionic surfactants penetrate grease well.

Preferred hydrophobic nonionic surfactants useful in the compositions of the present invention are surfactants with a value below 16 with the general formula RO(C ₂ H 4 O)„(C ₃ H ₆ O) _m H, where R is a C ₆ -C ₂₂ alkyl chain or C ₆ - C ₂ g alkylbenzene chain and where n+m is 0 to 20 and n is 0 to 15 am is 0 to 20, preferably n+m is 1 to 15 anam is 0.5 to 15, more preferably n+m is 1 to 10 anam are 0 to 10. Preferred R chains are C 8 -C ₂₂ alkyl chains. Suitable hydrophobic nonionic surfactants are Dobanol ^R 912.5 (HBL = 8.1; R is a mixture of Cg and Cn alkyl chains, n is 2.5 and am is 0) or Lutensol ^R TO3 (HBL = 8; R is a C i3 alkyl chain, n is 3 am is 0) or Lutensol ^R AO3 (HBL = 8; R is a mixture of CJ3 and C]5 alkyl chains, n is 3 am is 0) or Tergitol ^R 25L3 (HBL = 7.7; R is in the range of alkyl chain lengths Ci2 - C ₎₅ , n is 3 am is 0) or Dobanol ^R 23-3 (HBL = 8.1; R is a mixture of Ci2 and Ci3 alkyl chains, n is 3 am is 0) or Dobanol ^R 23-2 (HBL = 6.2; R is a mixture of C12 and _C13 alkyl chains, n is 2 and is 0) or DobanoI ^R 45-7 (HBL = 11.6; R is a mixture of C14 and C15 alkyl chains, n is 7 and is 0) , Dobanol ^R 23-6.5 (HBL = 11.9; R is a mixture of Ci2 and _Ci3 alkyl chains, n is

6.5 am is 0) or Dobanol ^R 25-7 (HBL = 12; R is a mixture of C]2 and Ci5 alkyl chains, n is 7 am is 0) or Dobanol ^K 91-5 (HBL = 11.6; R is a mixture of C9 and Cn alkyl • ·

chains, n is 5 am is 0) or Dobanol ^R 91-6 (HBL = 12.5; R is a mixture of C9 and Cu alkyl chains, n is 6 am is 0) or Dobanol ^R 91-8 (HBL = 13.7 ; R is a mixture of C9 and Cn alkyl chains, n is 8 am is 0) or Dobanol ^R 91-10 (HBL = 14.2; R is a mixture of C ₉ and Cn alkyl chains, n is 10 am is 0) or mixtures thereof . Dobanol ^R 91-2.5 or Lutensol ^R TO3 or Lutensol ^R AO3 or Tergitol ^R 25L3 or Dobanol ^R 23-3 or Dobanol ^R 23-2 or mixtures thereof are preferred. Dobanol ^R surfactants are commercially available from Shell. Lutensol ^R surfactants are commercially available from BASF and Tergitol ^R surfactants are commercially available from UNION CARBIDE.

Other suitable surfactants also include C6-C20 conventional soaps (C6-C20 alkali metal salts of fatty acids, preferably sodium salts).

The preparations according to the present invention include as another advantageous component other antimicrobial additives that contribute to the antimicrobial activity of the preparations according to the present invention. Such additives include parabens such as ethylparaben, propylparaben, methylparaben, gluteraldehyde or mixtures thereof.

The compositions according to the invention can also contain a chelating agent as another advantageous component. Suitable chelating agents are known to experts and are selected from the group of phosphonate chelating agents, aminophosphonate chelating agents, substituted heteroaromatic chelating agents, aminocarboxylate chelating agents, other carboxylate chelating agents, polyfunctionally substituted aromatic chelating agents, biodegradable chelating agents such as ethylenediamine Ν,Ν'-disuccinic acid or mixtures thereof.

Suitable phosphonate chelating agents include etidronic acid (1-hydroxyethylenediphosphonic acid HEDP) and/or alkali metal ethane 1-hydroxydiphosphonate.

Suitable aminophosphonate chelating agents include aminoalkylene polyalkylenephosphonates, nitrilotris(methylene)triphosphonates, ethylenediaminetetramethylenephosphonates and/or diethylenetriaminepentamethylenephosphonates. Preferred aminophosphonate chelating agents are diethylenetriaminepentamethylenephosphonates.

These phosphonate/aminophosphonate chelating agents are present either as acids or as salts of some or all of the acid functions with various cations.

Such phosphonate/aminophosphonate chelating agents are commercially available from Monsanto under the trade name DEQUEST®.

Substituted heteroaromatic chelating agents include hydroxypiperidine-Noxide or derivatives thereof.

Suitable hydroxypiperidine-N-oxides and their derivatives usable according to the present invention have the general formula II:

Y where X is nitrogen, Y is from the group oxygen, -CHO, -OH, -(CH ₂ ) _n -COOH, where n is an integer from 0 to 20, preferably 0 to 10 and more preferably 0 and Y is preferably oxygen. A particularly preferred hydroxypiperidine-N-oxide is 2-hydroxypiperidine-N-oxide and its derivatives.

Hydroxypiperidine-N-oxides and their derivatives are commercially available from the company

Sigma.

Polyfunctionally substituted aromatic chelating agents are also useful in the compositions according to the invention. See U.S. Patent 3,812,044, issued by Connor et al. May 21, 1974. Preferred compounds of this type in acid form are dihydroxydisulfobenzenes such as 1,2-dihydroxy-3,5-disulfobenzene.

A preferred biodegradable chelating agent is ethylenediamine N,N'-disuccinic acid or its salts of alkali metals, alkaline earths, ammonium or substituted ammonium salts or mixtures thereof. Ethylenediamine Ν,Ν'-disuccinic acids, particularly the (S,S)-isomer, are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,704,233, issued to Hartman and Perkins on November 3, 1987. Ethylenediamine Ν,Ν'-disuccinic acid is commercially available, for example, from Palmer Research Laboratories under the trade name ssEDDS®. Ethylenediamine Ν,Ν'-disuccinic acid is particularly suitable for use in the compositions of the present invention.

Suitable aminocarboxylate chelating agents include ethylenediaminetetraacetates, diethylenetriaminepentaacetates, diethylenetriaminepentaacetates (DTPA), N-hydroxyethylenediaminetriacetates, nitrilotriacetates, ethylenediaminetetrapropionates, triethylenetetraaminehexaacetates, ethanoldiglycines, propylenediaminetetraacetic acid (PDTA), and methylglycinediacetic acid • 9

9 9 9 9 9 9 9 . 9 9 99 9 9 9 9 9 ······ ··· · • · · · · · ··· · · ·· · · (MGDA), both in their acid form and as their alkali metal salts, ammonium or substituted ammonium salts. Particularly suitable are diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), propylenediaminetetraacetic acid (PDTA), which is commercially available for example from BASF under the trade name Trilon FS® and methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA).

Other carboxylate chelating agents include malonic acid, salicylic acid, glycine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, or mixtures thereof.

Chelating agents, especially phosphonate chelating agents such as diethylenetriaminepentamethylenephosphonates advantageously contribute to the disinfecting properties of hydrogen peroxide in the disinfectants according to the invention. Another aspect of the present invention is the use of a chelating agent, especially a phosphonate chelating agent such as diethylenetriaminepentamethylenephosphonate in a disinfectant containing hydrogen peroxide to improve the disinfectant properties of the agent against Gram-negative and/or Gram-positive bacteria.

The preparations according to the present invention typically contain a chelating agent or mixtures thereof in up to 5% of the total weight of the preparation, preferably 0.002% to 3% by weight and more preferably 0.002% to 1.5%.

The compositions according to the invention include radical scavengers as another advantageous component. Suitable radical scavengers include the well-known substituted mono- and dihydroxybenzenes and their derivatives, alkyl- and arylcarboxylates and mixtures thereof. Preferred radical scavengers include di-tert-butylhydroxytoluene (BHT), p-hydroxytoluene, hydroquinone (HQ), di-tert-butylhydroquinone (DTBHQ), mono-tert-butylhydroquinone (MTBHQ), tert-butylhydroxyanisole ( BHA), p-hydroxyanisole, benzoic acid, 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 2,5-dihydroxyterephthalic acid, toluic acid, catechol, t-butylcatechol, 4-allylcatechol, 4-acetylcatechol, 2-methoxyphenol, 2-ethoxyphenol, 2-methoxy -4-(2-propenyl)phenol, 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde, 2,3-dihydroxybenzaldehyde, benzylamine, 1,1,3-tris-(2-methyl-4hydroxy-5-t-butylphenyl)butane, tert-butylhydroxyaniline, p-hydroxyaniline and n-propyl gallate. Very advantageous is di-tert.-butylhydroxytoluene, which is available for example from SHELL under the trade name IONOL CP®, and/or tert.-butylhydroxyanisole. These radical scavengers further contribute to the stability of hydrogen peroxide-containing compositions.

The compositions according to the present invention typically contain radical scavengers or their mixtures in up to 5% of the total weight of the composition, preferably 0.001% to 1.5% by weight and more preferably 0.01% to 1%.

The compositions according to the invention include, as another advantageous component, solvents or mixtures thereof. The used solvents advantageously improve the cleaning properties of the products. Suitable solvents included in the compositions of the present invention include propylene glycol derivatives such as n-butoxypropanol or n-butoxypropoxypropanol, CARBITOL® water soluble solvents or CELLOSOLVE® water soluble solvents. CARBITOL® water-soluble solvents are compounds of the class

2-(2-Alkoxyethoxy)ethanol, where the alkoxy group is derived from an ethyl, propyl or butyl group. A preferred water-soluble carbitol is 2-(2-butoxyethoxyethanol, also known as butylcarbitol. CELLOSOLVE® water-soluble solvents are compounds of the 2-Alkoxyethoxyethanol class, preferably 2-butoxyethoxyethanol. Other suitable solvents are benzyl alcohol, methanol, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, and diols such as 2-ethyl-1 ,3-hexanediol and 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3pentadiol and their mixtures.The preferred solvents are n-butoxypropoxypropanol® and their mixtures.The most preferred solvents are Butylcarbitol® and isopropanol.

Compositions according to the invention typically contain solvents in up to 15% of the total weight of the composition, preferably 2% to 7% of the composition's weight.

The compositions according to the invention may further contain various other advantageous components such as buffers (e.g. borate buffers), fillers, stabilizers, bleach activators, stain suspenders, dye transfer agents, gloss additives, perfumes, anti-dust agents, enzymes, dispersants, dye transfer inhibitors, pigments , fragrances and dyes.

Packaging of means.

The compositions according to the invention are packaged in various suitable detergent packages known to those skilled in the art. The liquid compositions of the invention are conveniently packaged in hand-held spray containers, which are usually made of synthetic organic polymer plastics. The present invention also includes liquid disinfectants containing hydrogen peroxide and antimicrobial oil packaged in a sprayer, preferably with a trigger or pump.

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Sprayers will enable uniform application of the liquid disinfectants according to the present invention to a relatively large part of the disinfected surface, thereby contributing to the disinfectant properties of the agents. Sprayers are particularly suitable for disinfecting vertical surfaces.

Suitable sprayers useful in the present invention include manually operated trigger foam sprayers sold, for example, by Specialty Packaging Products, Inc. or Continental Sprayers, lne. These types of nebulizers are described, for example, in US-4,701,311, Dunnining et al. and U.S.-4,646,973, Focarracci and U.S.-4,538,745, Focarracci. Sprayers such as T 8500® or T 8900®, commercially available from Continental Spray International or T 8100®, commercially available from Canyon, Northern Ireland are particularly preferred. In such a sprayer, the liquid agent becomes fine liquid droplets in a spray, which are sprayed directly onto the cleaned surface. When the user pumps, when the user activates the pumping mechanism, the agent contained in the spray canister is released through the spray head. The agent in the atomizer head is forced over an obstacle, such as a grid or a coil, etc., and the impacts help to atomize the liquid agent, i.e. they help the formation of liquid droplets.

The means according to the present invention can also be implemented as wipes. Here, 'wipes' refers to disposable paper towels impregnated with a liquid composition according to the present invention. The present invention also includes wipes, e.g. disposable paper wipes impregnated with a liquid composition according to the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, the wipes are moistened with liquid means according to the invention. Towels are preferably packed in a plastic box. The advantage of this design is faster use of the disinfectant by the user even outside the home, i.e. it is not necessary to pour the liquid means according to the present invention onto cleaned/disinfected surfaces and dry with a cloth. In other words, the wipes allow surfaces to be disinfected in one step.

Method of disinfection.

In the broadest sense, the present invention includes a method of disinfecting surfaces with an agent according to the present invention. 'Surface' here refers to any surface including living surfaces such as human skin, mouth, teeth and inanimate surfaces. Inanimate surfaces include, without limitation, solid • · ,ζ ···· ····»·

Ιο ··«··· ··· · ··· • · · · · · · ··· ·· ·· · · · · surfaces typically found in homes in kitchens, bathrooms or car interiors, e.g. tiles , walls, floors, chrome surfaces, glass, smooth vinyl, any plastic, plasticized wood, table tops, sinks, stove tops, dishes, sanitary equipment such as sinks, showers, shower curtains, bathtubs, toilets, glass, and so on, as well as fabrics including dresses, curtains, drapes, bed linen, bath linen, tablecloths, sleeping bags, tents, upholstered furniture, carpets, and so on. Inanimate surfaces also include household appliances including but not limited to refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, tumble dryers, ovens, microwaves, dishwashers, etc.

In the method of disinfecting surfaces according to the present invention, the agents according to the invention can be applied undiluted or diluted to the disinfected surface.

'Diluted' here means that the user can dilute the liquid or solid disinfectants with water up to 100 times, preferably 80 to 30 times and more preferably 60 to 40 times.

In an advantageous embodiment of disinfection according to the present invention, the agent is applied diluted to the disinfected solid surface, after applying the agent it is not necessary to rinse the surface, no visible residues remain on the surface.

The present invention is further illustrated by the following examples.

Examples of embodiments of the invention

The following compositions were prepared by mixing the listed ingredients in the listed proportions (unless otherwise stated, these are % by weight). These agents have passed the prEN 1040 European Commission standardization test. These agents provide perfect disinfection of clean surfaces when used in undiluted and diluted form, e.g. in dilution 1:100, 1:25, 1:50 and are also perfectly safe for surfaces and mild to skin.

Resources 1 II III IV IN VI Hydrogen peroxide 7.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 2.0 7.0 Thyme essential oil 0.5 — — 0.5 — 0.5 Clove essential oil — 1.0 — — o.l 0.5 Pelargonium essential oil 0.5 — — — —

• ·

Eucalyptus essential oil Water and minor components H2SO4 to pH 4

1.0 top up to 100%

0.5

Resources VII VIII IX X Hydrogen peroxide 7.0 6.0 1.0 2.0 Thyme essential oil — 0.5 — — Clove / Eucalyptus essential oil (1:1) 1.0 — 0.5 0.05 Pelargonium essential oil — 0.5 __

top up to 100%

Water and minor components H2SO4 to pH 4 ·· ·· » · · ι

Resources XI XII XIII XIV XV Hydrogen peroxide 7.0 6.0 1.0 2.0 1.0 CIO Alkyl sulfate 3.0 4.0 — 1.5 -- CIO Amin oxide 1.5 — 1.5 — 0.9 Lauryl betaine — — — — 0.05 Thyme essential oil — 0.5 — — 0.03 Eucalyptus essential oil — — — — 0.02 Clove / Eucalyptus essential oil (1:1) 1.0 — 0.5 0.05 — Pelargonium essential oil — 0.5 — — — Water and minor components top up to 100% H2SO4 to pH 4

Industrial applicability

The antimicrobial compositions of the present invention are used to disinfect and clean a variety of surfaces including living surfaces (eg, human skin, mouth) and non-living surfaces (eg, hard surfaces, fabrics). Disinfectants according to the present invention perfectly disinfect cleaned surfaces even when used in large dilutions and are suitable for delicate fabrics and for use on delicate surfaces in safe contact with food and/or children. Disinfectants according to the present invention work perfectly on Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains as well as fungi. The agents according to the invention are packed in the form of a liquid in the usual detergent bottles, or as a spray or foam in a spray/foam atomizer, or they are filled with cloths intended for quick cleaning in one step.

Claims (16)

PATENT CLAIMS What is claimed is: 1. A disinfectant comprising from 0.1% to 15% hydrogen peroxide of the total weight of the composition and an antimicrobial essential oil or mixtures thereof. Disinfectant composition according to claim 1, characterized in that it contains 0.5% to 10% hydrogen peroxide of the total weight of the composition and preferably 1% to 8%. Disinfectant according to any one of the preceding claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the antimicrobial oil is thymic oil, lemongrass oil, citrus oil, lemon oil, orange oil, anise oil, clove oil, anise spice oil, cinnamon oil. , pelargonium essential oil, pink essential oil, lavender essential oil, citronella essential oil, eucalyptic essential oil, peppermint oil, mint oil, camphor oil, sandalwood oil, cedar oil, rosemary oil, pine oil, verbene oil, grass fleagrass oil , ratanhiae oil and / or mixtures thereof, and preferred are thym oil, clove oil, cinnamon oil, geranium oil, eucalyptus oil, peppermint oil, peppermint oil and mixtures thereof. Disinfectant composition according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it contains antimicrobial essential oils or mixtures thereof in at least 0.003% of the total weight of the composition, preferably 0.006% to 10% and more preferably 0.2% to 4%. Disinfectant composition according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it contains a surfactant selected from the group consisting of anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, zwitterionic surfactants or mixtures thereof, the surfactant being present in up to 50% of the total weight of the composition preferably 0.01% to 30% and more preferably 0.1% to 25%. «4 Μ · · · · · · Disinfectant according to claim 5, characterized in that the surfactant is an amphoteric surfactant or a mixture thereof, preferably a betaine or sulfobetaine surfactant or a derivative thereof or a mixture thereof according to the general formula I: R ₁₊ R ₂ -N- (CH ₃ ) _n -Y '(I) R ₃ wherein R 1 is an alkyl radical of 1 to 24 carbon atoms, preferably 8 to 18, more preferably 12 to 14, wherein R ₂ and R 3 contain 1 to 3 carbon atoms, preferably 1 carbon atom, wherein n is an integer from 1 to 10, preferably 1 to 6 and more preferably 1, Y is selected from the group of carboxyl and sulfonyl radicals and wherein the sum of R _b R ₂ and R ₃ radicals is 14 to 24 carbon atoms and / or amine oxide of the general formula R ₁ R ₂ R ₃ NO; _b R ₂ and R ₃ are independently a saturated linear or branched hydrocarbon chain having 1 to 30 carbon atoms, preferably 6 to 20 and wherein R ₂ and R ₃ are independently unsubstituted or substituted linear or branched hydrocarbon chains having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, preferably C 1 -C 3 and more preferably methyl. The disinfectant of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an additional antimicrobial ingredient selected from the group consisting of glutaraldehyde, ethylparaben, propylparaben, methylparaben, and mixtures thereof. Disinfectant according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 7, further comprising a chelating agent selected from the group of phosphonate chelating agents, aminophosphonate chelating agents, substituted heteroaromatic chelating agents, aminocarboxylate chelating agents, other carboxylate chelating agents, polyfunctionally substituted aromatic chelating agents. , ethylenediamine N, N-disuccinic acid and mixtures thereof. Disinfectant composition according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 8 21 further comprising at least one preferred component of the group of radical scavengers, solvent scavengers, buffers, fillers, stabilizers, bleach activators, stain suspensions, dye transfer agents, brightening agents, perfumes, dusting agents, enzymes, dispersants, dye transfer inhibitors, pigments, fragrances, dyes, and mixtures thereof. Disinfectant composition according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it is a liquid composition, preferably a liquid composition having a pH not exceeding 12.0, preferably not exceeding 7, more preferably 2 to 6 and most preferably 3 to 5. A wipe impregnated with a liquid composition according to claim 10. 12. A disinfectant composition according to claim 10, which is packaged in a nebulizer. A method of disinfecting a surface, characterized in that a composition according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 10 is applied to the surface. The surface disinfection method according to claim 13, characterized in that the composition is applied to the surface after dilution by up to 100 times by weight of water, preferably by 80 to 40 times by weight and even more preferably by 60 to 30 times by weight. Use of a chelating agent, preferably a phosphonate chelating agent, more preferably diethylene triamine pentamethylene phosphonate in a hydrogen peroxide-containing disinfectant to improve the disinfectant properties of the composition for Gram negative and / or Gram positive bacteria. 16. Use of an anionic surfactant, in particular a C ₁ -C ₁₆ alkylsulfonate, a C ₁ -C 16 alkylsulfate and / or a C ₁ -C 16 alkylalkoxylsulfate in a disinfectant comprising hydrogen peroxide and / or an antimicrobial essential oil to improve the disinfectant properties. 4 4 · 4 · 4 · 4 · 4 · 4 · 4 · 4 · 4 · 4 4 4 4444 <4 44 properties of the composition for Gram negative and / or Gram positive bacteria.